Cosmographie - Monde Sidereal [Manuscript]

[France]: Unique, ca1860. Original black, full Russia leather with a fine pebble grain pattern; a.e.g.. Near fine; binding bumped and a bit rubbed.. Oblong 4to, 33 unnumbered pages (stiff glazed paper) with 22 mounted star maps (various sizes) drawn on deep violet colored paper in black and gold ink.

An accomplished manuscript, beautifully rendered, by an individual with advanced knowledge of interstellar space. It is also unusual in that the text initially emphasizes findings in the southern hemisphere. Discussion involves fixed stars, double stars, (truncated) and variable stars and the seasonal variation as to what is observable. The color of stars, distances, culminate in the author's consideration of observable nebulae and reference to the then recent discoveries of Lord Rosse of new, spiral galaxies, beautifully illustrated in this text. Robert Grant, History of Physical Astronomy, (pp. 568 - 577, London, 1852) provides contemporary context for the speculations of the author and for Rosse's important discoveries - only possible with the use of the largest reflector constructed to date (1845). It is most unusual to find such a self-aware manuscript that is well in advance of any academic exercise. The author's avowed consideration - from the title - of the large structures of the observable universe segue to informed speculation about the processes that made possible these structures. (Inventory #: 19066)